Farmer, P.O. Bloomingdale, was born in Erie County, N.Y.,
August 25, 1818, second son of John and Pattie (Wilson) Butler. John Butler was a native
of Vermont, born in 1788, and died in New York at the age of eighty-four years. He was a
Baptist, and in politics a Republican. He had seven children  John, Joseph, Seth,
Harvey, Sarah (deceased), Charles (deceased) and Ozias. Joseph came West in the spring of
1843; bought eighty acres of land, which he afterward sold and bought eighty acres more;
sold it, and in 1850, came to his present place, and now owns 313 acres, on which he has
put all the substantial improvements. He gives his attention to stock-raising, in addition
to general farming. In 1843, he married Abigail West, born near Sardinia, Erie Co., N.Y.,
in November 1812, daughter of Asbel West. They have had nine children, six of who; are
living  Sewall, farmer in De Kalb County, Ill.; Ira, at home; Ashbel, farmer in De
Kalb County, Ill.; Elbert, at home; Judson and Delia. Those deceased were Elijah, died
aged twenty-six; Gilbert, twenty-five; and James who died July 6, 1882. Mr. Butler owes
his success to his own thrift and energy. He is a Republican.